THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR LENT 1 – 1.03.09
Genesis 9: 8-17
The devastation has passed and the survivors, human and animal, look out on a changed world. The old landmarks and certainties are missing but the faith story rests entirely on a God who can bring it all into the loving wisdom of a new creation. People would have worked over this story during the period of the exile. Think of it now as you seek what was once a living township in a scene of devastation. It is the “rainbow of hope” we look for in the loving, caring, and wise response to help restore and rebuild.
Psalm 25: 1-10
In our world of concerns about climate change and financial uncertainty we sometimes see an action promising peace of mind. But here the poet invites worshippers to follow his covenant festival prayer – “To you O Lord, I lift up soul”. This is his deepest self so that the loving energy of God can bring a sense of being at one with the Creator’s loving purposes. So sure is the poet now that he can even talk over with his God the mess he once made of his life, and feel accepted and forgiven.
1 Peter 3: 18-22
Among the early Christians were slaves who were welcomed as free people. But in their daily tasks they could suffer beatings and harsh treatment. Peter reminds them that Jesus responded with the love of God – strong, creative and without limits in his death on the cross. Then in his resurrection life he lived then and now offering the grace and mercy of God again without limits. People would catch their breath in wonder as the ancient story of Noah is drawn into God’s loving purposes. Christians would need to remember Peter’s words as persecution developed and they suffered discrimination.
Mark 1: 9-15
Mark conveys the intense spiritual energy in these events. The air was electric, and from heaven came a shout of approval as Jesus is baptised. This was too much for Satan, the spoiler, who claimed Jesus had not really decided on his ministry. Now the Spirit took charge and sent him into the wilderness. Even the animals were still, until the chant of the angels filled the wilderness with the love of God. Then as John was arrested he was ready with the proclamation of the Gospel of God’s new world.
THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR LENT 2 – 8.03.09
Genesis 17: 1-7, 15, 16
The years have passed since the first promise was made to Abram (Gen 12:12) for settled land and descendants. Now still a wanderer, childless, and 100 years old he laughs (verse 7) because it’s too late. However, this foundation story of the Christian faith introduces us to the spiritual life of working with and trusting God. So Abram is now Abraham, a more specific covenant is made (8-14), and he is encouraged to get along with the Canaanites and start being a blessing to other nations.
Psalm 22: 23-31
This Psalm is sacred to Christians as it begins with the agonising cry of desolation which will echo round the world this Good Friday. But the second part is about the covenant community finding God. For the gulf has been crossed through the grace and mercy of the holy God. In gratitude the poet makes his offering and tells his story so that others might hear of what God has done. For the works of God should be known over all the earth for everything, all nations, the past and the future are included in the rule of God.
Romans 4: 13-25
Paul is aware of the cultural mix of people who would make up Roman society and what members of the congregation would be thinking about. His speeches in Acts 21: 27 to 26:30 show him arguing that faith in God, that spiritual awareness, that trust in the way of love, will bring about a community where all can meet together. Abraham’s faith was always to benefit “many nations”, and not for the benefit of one family group only, but was to flow as widely as the human race. What plagues our world still are narrow loyalties promoting antagonism, conflict and killing. Paul is arguing for a view of the love and grace of God to grow a new community out of resurrection faith.
Mark 8: 21-38
The disciples were convinced that their leader would be the Messiah and rid their country of Roman control. Peter spoke for them all, and they held this view through to the resurrection. Luke 24:21. So Jesus tries again to explain how he will confront, step by step, all the obstacles in the way of the Kingdom of God’s love and peace. In the process he would transform the cross from a symbol of extreme punishment, to a symbol of sharing in the work of God in his world.
THE BIBLE – LEARNING FROM MARK
COMMENT FOR LENT 3 – 15.03.09
Exodus 20: 1-17
The whole Israelite community have learned how to travel and survive with the support of their God. They have developed their own organisation, trusting in the leadership of Moses. Now they recognise that the moving spirit, the whole source of the creative grace that has led them, is their God. They now have to formalise that understanding and put into words the faith and trust by which they live; so the 10 commandments or the 10 rules for living. The Hebrew people were to be people of a spiritual power, holy and mysterious, but bringing liberation as well as individual responsibility in everyday life.
Psalm 19: 7-14
In the first part of this Psalm the writer sees the power of the creator in the mystery, the ordered beauty of the heavens and the natural world. Now he rejoices that human intelligence has heard the creator’s words and expressed them in decrees and precepts which delight the soul. So wonderful is the free air of the spirit as he ponders these words that he has to remind himself that here especially he touches the rule–law–of the loving God.
1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
Paul is alarmed at what the factions are doing to the Corinthian congregation. Now he wants them to think about what is the real issue–how to understand the meaning of the Cross in Greek cultural life. He starts them thinking how, from the apparent defeat and loss of the Cross, there came the Resurrection and Pentecost. Therefore from a point of utter weakness the Christ of the Cross calls to everyone without distinction, starting with the weakest. This is the miracle of grace. The love of God includes everyone, it is inclusive, and would seek to include and work in everyone that miracle of grace which is the power of God.
John 2: 13-22
John places this incident at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, for he clearly decided that this time he would let his anger show. It was Passover time. Jesus would see it as a time when people could reflect on the saving power of God. But for the temple authorities it was a time to recoup their finances when under the restrictions of Roman rule. They did it by charging an exchange rate for everyone paying the Temple Tax (for those buying a bird or animal for sacrifice) and compensating those people whose own birds or animals were condemned as unfit for sacrifice. For Jesus, what might have been done with that day was limitless, but instead they made money out of people’s piety. Now isn’t that a lesson for every age of the church?
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